Understanding Your Property Taxes
EAST CENTRAL ISD
Your Home. Your Taxes.
The Facts.
Understanding property values, tax rates, exemptions, school taxes and East Central ISD's tax rate.
Understanding Your Property Tax Bill
A property tax bill is affected by more than one number. Property values, exemptions, tax rates and multiple local taxing entities can all affect the total amount a homeowner pays.
This page explains how school district property taxes work, what East Central ISD controls, how the district's tax rate has changed and how these numbers appear on actual property tax bills.
THE BASICS
My Property Tax Bill Went Up. Did ECISD Raise Its Tax Rate?
Not necessarily. A higher total property tax bill can result from several factors.
Property Value
The value assigned to your property is one factor used to calculate property taxes.
Exemptions
Homestead and other exemptions can reduce the portion of a property's value that is taxable.
Tax Rates
Each local taxing entity establishes its own tax rate.
Your total property tax bill and East Central ISD's tax rate are not the same thing.
YOUR TAX BILL
ECISD Is Only One Part of Your Property Tax Bill
Depending on where a property is located, several local taxing entities may appear on the same bill.
Your bill may include:
- East Central ISD
- Bexar County
- City of San Antonio, if applicable
- Alamo Colleges District
- University Health
- Special districts, if applicable
Why this matters
Each entity establishes its own tax rate. Those individual amounts are then combined into the total property tax bill.
An increase in the total bill does not necessarily mean every taxing entity increased its tax rate.
ECISD TAX RATE
ECISD's Tax Rate Has Declined
East Central ISD's total tax rate decreased from approximately $1.142 per $100 of taxable value in 2020–2021 to $0.9319 in 2025–2026.
$1.142
2020–2021
Total ECISD tax rate per $100 of taxable value
$0.9319
2025–2026
Total ECISD tax rate per $100 of taxable value
$0.2101
Decrease in the total tax rate since 2020–2021
Property values and individual tax bills may change independently of changes in the district's tax rate.
2025–2026 RATE
How ECISD's Current Tax Rate Is Divided
$0.6669
M&O
Maintenance & Operations
$0.2650
I&S
Interest & Sinking
$0.9319
Total Rate
Per $100 of taxable value
HOW SCHOOL FUNDING WORKS
New Schools and Daily Operations Are Funded Differently
I&S — Interest & Sinking
I&S is used to repay voter-authorized debt for capital projects.
- New schools
- Major renovations
- Large facility projects
- Other voter-approved capital improvements
M&O — Maintenance & Operations
M&O supports the district's day-to-day operating expenses.
- Teachers and staff
- Academic programs
- School operations
- Instructional materials
- Other ongoing operating expenses
Building a school and paying for the daily operation of that school are two different financial functions.
DISTRICT SPENDING
ECISD Has Reduced Operating Spending
East Central ISD has taken steps to reduce district operating expenditures while responding to enrollment growth and opening additional campuses.
10%
Reduction in Spending
District spending has been reduced by approximately 10% over the past two years.
25
Teaching Positions
Positions eliminated as part of district budget reductions.
23
Professional Positions
Positions eliminated as part of district budget reductions.
48 Positions Eliminated
These reductions occurred as the district prepared to operate additional schools and serve a growing student population.
SPENDING COMPARED WITH PEERS
ECISD Has One of the Lowest Per-Student Spending Levels in the San Antonio Area
$12,142
Per-Student Spending
East Central ISD's reported per-student spending is among the lowest in the San Antonio-area comparison.
What this comparison shows
Per-student spending varies among school districts based on enrollment, funding formulas, programs, facilities and other local circumstances.
The comparison provides additional context when reviewing ECISD's overall operating expenses.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
What Does an ECISD Tax Bill Look Like?
The following example shows how the ECISD portion of a property tax bill is calculated for a home with a market value of $277,010.
Example: ECISD Homeowner
Market Value
$277,010
Value of home
Homestead Exemption
− $140,000
School district homestead exemption
ECISD Taxable Value
$137,010
Value used to calculate ECISD taxes
2025–2026 ECISD Tax Rate
$0.9319
per $100 of taxable value
Estimated ECISD School Tax
$1,276.80
PER YEAR
$137,010 taxable value × $0.9319 per $100 = $1,276.80
This example reflects the East Central ISD portion only of the property tax bill. Taxes from Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, Alamo Colleges District and other applicable taxing entities may also appear on the homeowner's total property tax bill.
HOMEOWNERS AGE 65 OR OLDER
Know Your School Property Tax Protections
65+
Texas law provides a school property tax ceiling for qualifying homeowners age 65 or older.
The ceiling generally limits the amount of school district property taxes imposed on a qualifying residence homestead.
Home Value
The appraised value of the property may continue to change.
School Tax Rate
The district's tax rate may change through the normal tax-rate and election process.
School Tax Ceiling
Qualifying homeowners generally have a ceiling on the amount of school district taxes imposed on the residence homestead.
AGE 65+ EXAMPLE
What Does the School Tax Ceiling Look Like on a Tax Bill for a Homeowner Age 65 or Older?
Example: Qualifying ECISD Homeowner Age 65 or Older
Market Value
$563,560
ECISD Taxable Value
$363,560
School Tax Ceiling
$1,678.32
ECISD School Tax Ceiling in This Example
$1,678.32
In this example, the homeowner's ECISD school taxes are subject to a tax ceiling of $1,678.32.
A qualifying homeowner generally would not see ECISD school taxes increase above the applicable ceiling solely because the home's value or the district's tax rate increased.
The school tax ceiling applies to qualifying school district taxes, not necessarily the entire property tax bill. Certain property improvements, changes in exemption status or other individual circumstances may affect the amount owed.
BEXAR COUNTY COMPARISON
ECISD's 2025–2026 Tax Rate Compared With Other School Districts
East Central ISD's 2025–2026 total tax rate is $0.9319 per $100 of taxable value.
$0.9319
Lowest Total School District Tax Rate in Bexar County
Based on the district's 2025–2026 comparison of Bexar County independent school district tax rates.
| School District | Total Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Harlandale ISD | $1.2575 |
| South San ISD | $1.1959 |
| Southwest ISD | $1.1598 |
| San Antonio ISD | $1.1552 |
| Southside ISD | $1.0805 |
| Somerset ISD | $1.0755 |
| Northside ISD | $1.0049 |
| Edgewood ISD | $0.98615 |
| North East ISD | $0.9822 |
| Judson ISD | $0.9796 |
| Alamo Heights ISD | $0.9572 |
| East Central ISD | $0.9319 |
WHO CONTROLS WHAT?
What East Central ISD Controls — and What It Does Not
ECISD Controls
- The district tax rate adopted by the Board of Trustees, subject to applicable state law and voter approval requirements
- The district's annual budget
- How district funds are allocated within applicable laws and requirements
ECISD Does Not Determine
- The appraised value assigned to an individual property
- The tax rates adopted by other local taxing entities
- An individual homeowner's eligibility for property tax exemptions
THE PROPERTY TAX PROCESS
Who Does What?
Appraisal District
Determines property values and administers applicable property tax exemptions.
Local Taxing Entities
Adopt their individual tax rates according to applicable state law.
Tax Office
Calculates and collects taxes using applicable property values, exemptions and tax rates.
Looking for Information About Proposition A?
Proposition A concerns East Central ISD's Maintenance & Operations tax rate.
The district maintains separate resources with the proposed tax rate, estimated homeowner examples, frequently asked questions and election information.
Learn About Proposition A Read the Prop A FAQsThis page provides general educational information about property taxes and East Central ISD finances. Individual property tax amounts and exemptions vary based on property value, eligibility, taxing entities and other circumstances. Property owners should contact the appropriate appraisal district or tax office regarding their individual property.